These are the experiences worth building your trip around, from the Great Buddha and the sacred deer to lantern-lined shrines and tranquil gardens. Most sit within walking distance of Nara Park. Save the ones that appeal to you and slot them into your own itinerary.
The Best Things to Do in Nara
1Must visit
Temple5.0
Todai-ji Temple
The Great Buddha Hall, one of the world's largest wooden buildings, shelters a 15-meter bronze Buddha. Nara's unmissable headline sight.
2Must visit
Park5.0
Nara Park
More than a thousand sacred deer roam free across 660 hectares. Buy crackers and they will bow for a treat. Free and magical at dawn.
3Must visit
Shrine5.0
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Nara's most celebrated shrine, with three thousand stone and bronze lanterns along a mystical forest approach.
4Must visit
Park5.0
Isuien Garden
An exquisite pair of strolling gardens with ponds and borrowed mountain views, a serene escape near Todai-ji.
5Must visit
Shopping Area5.0
Naramachi District
The old merchant quarter of Edo-period machiya houses, now full of craft shops, galleries, and cafes.
6Must visit
Temple4.0
Nigatsu-do Hall
A hilltop hall above Todai-ji with a free balcony view over the city, and the dramatic Omizutori fire ceremonies in March.
7Must visit
Scenic Spot5.0
Mount Wakakusa
A grassy 342-meter hill with panoramic views, climbable in half an hour and famous for January's spectacular grass-burning festival.
8Must visit
Scenic Spot5.0
Ukimido Pavilion
A hexagonal gazebo seeming to float on Sagiike Pond, with mirror-perfect reflections at sunrise and sunset.
9
Temple4.0
Gangoji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple at the heart of Naramachi, with original roof tiles dating to the 8th century.
10
Park4.0
Yoshikien Garden
Three gardens in one (pond, moss, and tea ceremony) with free admission for foreign visitors who show a passport.
11
Museum3.0
Nara Craft Museum
A small museum showcasing Nara's traditional crafts, from calligraphy brushes and inks to Kogakumen masks.
FAQ
- What is the one thing not to miss in Nara?
- Todai-ji's Great Buddha. The 15-meter bronze statue inside one of the world's largest wooden buildings is genuinely awe-inspiring, and the sacred deer roaming the surrounding park make the whole area unforgettable.
- Are Nara's attractions free?
- Nara Park, Nigatsu-do Hall, and Kasuga Taisha's outer grounds are free. Todai-ji (800 yen), the Kasuga inner sanctuary (700 yen), and Isuien Garden (900 yen) charge small fees. Yoshikien Garden is free for foreign visitors with a passport.
Make it your trip
Save these places and build your own Nara itinerary in TripBox.